Early rising and baking bread and quiches...

We've had lovely weather all week but this morning we had a real heavy shower of rain and high winds. I was up at 6am, not being able to sleep any longer because of the stupid corellas that sit in our gum trees squawking! They drive us insane! I love this time of morning though, a quiet cuppa, read the paper or a magazine, tidy up, turn on the computer...
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I've decided to give green tea a go. I've had 2 cups so far today, the second one I added a tiny squirt of honey and that was much nicer.
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Tina from A Quiet Home posted a bread tutorial so I thought I would give it a go. I couldn't get 'bread' flour today so I just used plain flour. I got out my trusty new Breville mixer, added the flour, oil and salt...

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I mixed up the warm water, sugar and yeast and let it bubble up...
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The mixer (using the dough hook) did a great job making the dough - I let it go for about 5 minutes before turning the dough out onto my bench. I didn't even use flour, it just came together and wasn't sticky at all. I kneaded it by hand for about 6 minutes before putting it in a floured loaf tin to rise. I had turned my oven on then turned it off and sat the bread, covered, on the open door where it was nice and warm.
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It rose nicely before I put it into a 200C oven for 15 minutes, then turned it and baked a further 15 minutes.
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When I turned it out, I tapped the bottom of the loaf and it felt hollow so it was done.
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I am quite pleased with the texture - I will try it with some proper bread flour soon. Visit Tina's blog, she is a beautiful peaceful Scottish soul.
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Next on the baking agenda were some mini quiches...
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I use bought short crust pastry and for the filling: 6 eggs, 1 cup+ grated cheese, finely diced bacon, capsicum and onion, sweet corn, sprinkle of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder, cracked pepper and pinch of salt. Mix all together then spoon into cases.
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Most of these will go frozen to Kirby for quick lunches and dinners. Nice with a bit of salad.
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I will leave you with last nights sunset - I missed the best bit by about 10 minutes I think. It was nearly dark when I took this.
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Hope you've had a nice weekend, it's been fairly lazy for me but that's how I like it.
Cheers - Joolz